Much More Than a Temple

This village has become the cynosure of all – Buddhist – non Buddhist, locals and foreigners – because of the Bellanwila Rajamaha Viharaya located therein. This temple is considered a place of great sanctity and veneration. And this is mainly due to its sacred Bodhi – tree.

Historical records reveal that this Bodhi – tree is one of the 32 saplings that sprang from the sacred Bodhi – tree at Anuradhapura planted in the 3rd century B.C. The 32 saplings were distributed throughout the Island over 2000 years ago, and the one at Bellanwila temple is one of these 32 saplings.
The belief in the sanctity of the Bodhi – tree and the temple precincts is so long – cherished and deep – rooted in the minds of the people, it is generally believed that a child who treads the ground under shade of this sacred Bodhi – tree will never fail in life.